Aang Munawar

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About

Dr. Aang Munawar is a leading researcher in surgical robotics, with a primary focus on advancing teleoperation and simulation for minimally invasive procedures. His work centers on two key areas: developing modular control architectures for robotic surgical systems and creating high-fidelity training simulators for complex fetal surgeries. Dr. Munawar’s major contribution includes the design of a modular, ROS-based teleoperation controller for the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK), a project that has garnered 6 citations and provides a flexible, open-source framework for replicating and extending the surgical system's core capabilities. This work is foundational for researchers seeking to customize robotic control. More recently, he has pioneered the development of a virtual da Vinci Xi training simulator specifically for in-utero open spina bifida repair, a groundbreaking application with 2 citations that addresses the critical need for safe, repeatable practice in a high-risk procedure. This simulator represents a notable achievement, directly supporting the translation of robotic surgery into fetal medicine. With a clear trajectory from hardware control to clinical simulation, Dr. Munawar’s research is shaping the future of surgical robotics and training.